Don counsels parents against female child discrimination

A university lecturer, Dr Mansur Isa-Buhari, has counselled parents and guardians to provide uniform educational and other livelihoods support to girls and boys in the society.

The Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto lecturer cautioned parents against discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards the female gender in the society.

He made the call on Saturday at the training of 75 community and religious leaders on promoting gender equitable norms in Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

The training was organized by the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development with support from EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project.

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He described discriminatory attitudes as detrimental to women and girls, especially, in relation to domestic duties and education.

Isa-Buhari explained that gender equity norms and values were strategies and measures taken in the process of being fair to women and men.

”This is especially in view of women’s historical and social disadvantages preventing both sexes from operating on a level playing field”, he said.

The don also stated that female children suffer different forms of violence ranging from psychological, verbal, physical, emotional and economic abuse even in our modern society.

He underscored the importance of educating people, especially men who were husbands and custodians of family members, on gender equity norms and best ways to handle cases of gender-based violence cases.

Earlier, the SFPD Programme Officer, Alhaji Musa Galadanci, called on community and religious leaders to promote gender equitable norms in the communities.

Galadanci said the training was organised to inculcate proper messaging skills and encourage men to educate people on the norms.

He further said that it was aimed at preventing all forms of violence against women and girls, sexual and gender-based violence and other harmful practices.

A cross-section of participants emphasized the need to strengthen mutual coexistence, marital livings and always emulate the best Islamic lifestyles taught by Prophet Muhammad(in traditions on family living).